My Seoul Trip: What I Did, What I Loved, and Everything I Didn’t Expect

Seoul, South Korea Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Seoul is the kind of city that reveals itself in layers. At first glance, it’s neon lights, busy crossings, and buildings rising so fast you swear they appeared overnight. But look a little closer, and you start noticing the contrasts: a Buddhist temple tucked between skyscrapers, hanok rooftops peeking over modern cafés, a quiet alley filled with the smell of soy and sesame, or a river that somehow slows time in a city of ten million people.

Seoul is old and new, serene and chaotic, tradition and reinvention, all happening at the same time. And that’s exactly what makes traveling here so special: every day feels like discovering a new version of the city.

If you’re planning a trip to Seoul, this guide brings together everything you need: the best time to visit, what neighborhoods actually feel like, where to eat (including vegan spots), how to get around, what to see, what to skip, and the small details that make navigating Korea so much easier.

Bukchon Hanok Village

When to Visit Seoul

Seoul is very much a four-season city, and each one brings its own personality:

Spring (April–May)

Cherry blossoms, mild temps, flower festivals, and the city waking up from winter. It’s one of the most popular times to visit, so expect crowds, but the atmosphere is unmatched.

Summer (June–August)

Hot, humid, and monsoon-prone. Expect downpours, lush greenery, and long café afternoons (which is very on brand for Seoul). If you don't mind humidity, there are fewer tourists.

Fall (September–November)

Golden ginkgo trees, crisp weather, and some of the best hiking of your life. Fall in Seoul is spectacular, arguably the best time to visit.

Winter (December–February)

Cold, dry, and often sunny. If you love winter fashion, seasonal street food, Christmas lights, and ice skating, this season has its charm. Just pack layers.

Is Seoul Safe?

Seoul is one of the safest large cities in the world.
You’ll see people reserving café seats with their wallets and leaving laptops out for hours.

Still, keep normal travel awareness:

  • Watch for pickpocketing in major markets

  • Keep an eye on late-night areas like Itaewon

  • Follow signage when using subways; Koreans move fast

For solo travelers, especially women, Seoul is incredibly navigable and comfortable.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

How Long to Stay

For a first trip, I recommend:

  • 3–4 days → Surface-level hits

  • 5–7 days → A good mix of culture, food, markets, and neighborhood exploration

  • 10+ days → You settle into the city’s rhythm (highly recommended)

Seoul rewards slow travelers—there’s a lot hidden between the obvious.

Currency + Costs

South Korea uses the Korean Won (KRW).

Seoul isn’t cheap, but it’s versatile:

  • Transportation: Extremely affordable

  • Cafés & bakeries: $4–8 drinks, $3–10 pastries

  • Meals: $8–15 for casual dining; $15–25+ for vegan restaurants; street food $1–4

  • Hotels: Varies widely by neighborhood, $60–250+

  • Beauty treatments: Surprisingly affordable compared to the US/Europe

Credit cards are widely accepted, but small stalls may prefer cash.

Getting Around Seoul

Seoul’s transportation system is a masterpiece. Clean, efficient, color-coded, and designed for humans who like things to make sense.

T-Money & Pass

You’ll use these for:

  • Subways

  • Buses

  • Convenience stores

  • Some taxis

Pick one up at any convenience store or airport kiosk.

Subway

Fast, intuitive, and takes you almost everywhere.
Google Maps struggles; use KakaoMap or Naver Map instead.

Taxis

Download Kakao T (Uber is limited).
Taxis are clean, regulated, and affordable.

Walking

You’ll walk… a lot. Seoul is very pedestrian-friendly in most neighborhoods.

Seoul Tower, South Korea views
Seoul, South Korea
Gyeongbokgung Palace

SIM, eSIM, or WiFi Egg

Connectivity matters in Seoul—signs change languages, directions switch underground, and digital payments are everywhere.

You can choose:

  • eSIM (easiest)

  • Airport SIM card

  • WiFi egg (portable hotspot)

All work well; I personally recommend the eSIM for convenience.

Where to Stay in Seoul

Seoul’s neighborhoods each have a distinct personality. Here’s the breakdown:

Myeongdong — Central & Shopper-Friendly: Tourist-heavy but convenient. Great for first-time visitors who want easy access to everything.

Hongdae — Youthful, Creative, Lively: Street performers, cafés, vintage shops, nightlife. Great energy.

Mapo / Yeonnam-dong — Trendy, Cafe-Focused: Quiet but stylish, full of independent shops and cafés. A favorite for longer stays.

Gangnam — Modern, Upscale, Polished: Skyscrapers, boutiques, and plastic surgery clinics. Flashy but fascinating.

Itaewon — International & Eclectic: Global food, bars, vintage shops. Good for nightlife.

Insadong — Traditional & Artsy: Near palaces, tea houses, and cultural spots. Ideal for slower travel.

Neighborhood Personality Guide

Because Seoul is big, let’s go deeper:

Gwanghwamun: Government district, palaces, museums, wide boulevards. Clean, quintessentially Seoul.

Seongsu: Seoul’s “Brooklyn.” Converted warehouses, concept stores, slow-fashion brands.

Hannam-dong: Where celebrities live. Quiet luxury, gallery browsing, curated shops.

Apgujeong & Sinsa (Garosu-gil): Beauty clinics, designer labels, cafés with interiors so pretty you question your own home décor.

old temple next to new building in Seoul, South Korea

Things to Do in Seoul

This is where Seoul shines: endless layers of history, design, food, nature, and culture.

Palaces + Traditional Experiences

Gyeongbokgung Palace: The biggest and most iconic. Visit in the morning or late afternoon for perfect lighting.

Hanbok Rental Experience: Wearing a hanbok inside the palaces gives you free entry and makes the experience truly immersive.
Daehan Hanbok provided a seamless rental experience: beautiful designs, clean garments, and staff who know exactly what flatters your frame.

Bukchon Hanok Village: Winding alleys, traditional homes, small art studios, and one of the most picturesque parts of the city.

Markets

Gwangjang Market: Street food heaven. Try mung bean pancakes, banchan, or bibimbap.

Namdaemun Market: Kitchen goods, clothes, snacks, stationery: everything at once.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza + Shopping: Architecture plus fashion. Go at night for LED roses and nightlife energy.

Cafés + Desserts

Seoul takes café culture seriously; cafés are destinations, not just coffee stops.

A Flower Blossom on the Rice stood out beautifully: delicate, photogenic, and genuinely delicious. Their desserts feel like little works of art without tipping into gimmick territory.

Other café themes you'll find:

  • Minimalist interiors

  • Vintage-inspired

  • Nature-infused

  • Dessert-specific (injeolmi, matcha, strawberry, rice cakes)

  • Rooftop views

A Flower Blossom on the Rice; Seoul, South Korea
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea

Vegan & Vegetarian Seoul

Seoul is surprisingly vegan-friendly once you know where to look.

Vegetus: One of the best vegan meals I’ve had in Korea. Their menu is creative without overcomplicating flavors. A must-stop for plant-based travelers.

SunnyHouse: A cozy, welcoming space with great flavors and dishes that feel nourishing (and a gluten-free cafe in Seoul!).

Other great vegan spots:

  • Gosari Express

  • byTOFU

  • URT Bakery & Restaurant

Beauty, Skincare & Wellness

Areuke Spa: This is a treatment worth planning your day around. Seoul has no shortage of skincare clinics, but Areuke stands out for its skin analysis, custom approach, and treatments that don’t feel rushed. If you’re looking for a “Seoul glow,” this is the one.

Colorize You: Color analysis is huge in Korea, and Colorize makes the experience approachable and actually useful. If you’re curious which colors flatter your skin tone, this is a fun, confidence-boosting experience and very “Korea-coded.”

Shopping District Breakdown

Hongdae: Youthful fashion, local designers, vintage shopping, accessories.

Myeongdong: Beauty stores, street food, tourist shopping, affordable clothing.

COEX / Starfield Library: Aesthetic, modern, and Instagram-famous.

Sinsa / Garosu-gil: Boutiques, indie Korean designers, polished cafés.

Seongsu: Concept stores, sustainable brands, curated lifestyle shops.

Day Trips From Seoul

Nami Island: Soft, magical, especially in the fall.

DMZ Tour: For history and political context.

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress: UNESCO site with great views and cultural depth.

Incheon Chinatown & Fairytale Village: Colorful, walkable, photo-friendly.

Etiquette & Cultural Norms

  • Take shoes off inside homes

  • Bring or buy small trash bags (public bins are rare)

  • Avoid loud conversations on public transit

  • Lines matter; Koreans queue politely

  • Two hands for giving or receiving items

  • Bowing is common, small, quick, and respectful

Helpful Tips for Seoul

  • Convenience stores are lifesavers (snacks, ATMs, T-Money reloads)

  • Download KakaoMap, Naver Map, Kakao T, and Papago

  • Stay near a subway line if possible

  • Have cash for smaller vendors

  • Bring layers; the weather changes quickly

  • Don’t rely on Google Maps

  • Cafés often expect you to bus your own table